*************************************************** RANELAGH HARRIERS E-NEWS # 370 9 February 2012 Editor: Steve Rowland mailto: steverowland@ranelagh-harriers.com *************************************************** HEADLINE NEWS ************* * Ranelagh women's team finishes 8th in the Southern, men 26th * Estelle Damant and Carl Selya-Hammer lead our teams * Ranelagh wins the Harold Lee Cup mob match v Orion Harriers * Peter Haarer leads our team of 69 and wins the Hastings Cup club veterans championship * John Shaw and Phil Jackson win the McDowell Salver (over 50s champs) and the Maslin Mug (over 60s champs) respectively * Ralph Street finishes 22nd in British Universities Championships * parkrun placings for Estelle Damant, Alice Hector, Mark Herbert, Bruce McLaren, Nick Wright, Mel Hunter, Paul Sinton-Hewitt and Rebecca Hall * Final Surrey League races for men and women this Saturday * Mob match away to South London Harriers on Saturday 18th SEE HERE ******** SURREY LEAGUE DIVISION 1 The season's final Surrey League Division 1 races for both men and women take place on Saturday 11th February - the men on Wimbledon Common (3pm start) and the women at West End Common, Esher (12 noon start). The races are both vital - the women to make sure they keep clear of the relegation zone, and the men to hold on to fourth place and try to catch Belgrave for third. The HQ for the men's race is Belgrave Hall, Denmark Road (off Ridgway), a ten minutes jog from the start. Hosts Belgrave have made a slight alteration to their usual course, including moving the start and finish to close to the Fox and Grapes pub. There's a map on our website. Parking near the start is difficult so allow a little extra time. This race will of course also decide our unofficial B team contest against the Stragglers. We're well ahead after three races, so a good turnout should keep us clear. We need a minimum of twenty runners, but all are welcome to take part, register on the day. The women's race is on West End Common, Esher, with the start and finish area just off West End Lane, which is itself off the A307 Portsmouth Road. Here's the map. There is a large car park at Garson's Garden Centre in Winterdown Road close to the start, and we have been asked not to park in Winterdown Road itself. As for the men, all are welcome to take part, register on the day. AND AFTERWARDS... Gordon Whitson is generously playing host at his "local", Ranelagh's old home the Green Man on Putney Heath. All are welcome from 5pm onwards, when we will either be celebrating our success or drowning our sorrows. STUBBS CUP MOB MATCH v SOUTH LONDON HARRIERS Saturday 18th February at Coulsdon It does seem like we should have finished all our mob matches at this stage of the season, but owing to the extra one to celebrate Orion's centenary back in October we still have one match to go. Our race against South London Harriers is on Saturday February 18th. The venue is Coulsdon, the same as for the January Surrey League races. The course is similar to the League but with the middle section run in the reverse direction and a longer loop along Happy Valley and back across the fields. We've fared pretty well in mob matches this season, so let's see if we can end with a flourish. As usual the more bodies we have there, the better our chances. Details will be on our website next week. There will be a minibus leaving the clubhouse at 12 noon. Please let Mike Peace know if you plan to use it - mpeace1@gmail.com. RICHMOND HALF MARATHON Sunday 6th May We reached our entry limit astonishingly early and on-line entries have therefore officially closed but there is a limited number of additional club places available - reply to the Newsletter Ed without delay if you want to take one of these. THAMES TOWPATH 10 miles Sunday 15th April at Chiswick Entries are now being accepted for the Thames Towpath 10, traditionally the opening event in our Road Grand Prix series. More than ten early-bird Ranelagh Harriers have already got their entries in, and if you want to join them details are here:. GDYNIA parkrun Saturday 10th March 2012 Peter Fordham writes: "Many of you will already know that the parkrun team in Poland is welcoming a group of parkrunners including some Ranelagh members to Gdynia on Saturday the 10th March. There are still places available on the trip. Gdynia was the first parkrun started in Poland and has a beautiful course along the Baltic seafront. Gdynia, together with Gdansk and Sopot constitute the Tricity area of a significant wartime and political history (the place where WW2 started and the Solidarity movement was born), with plenty to see and do. In addition, Jakub, the parkrun country manager has offered to show the group around the local sights on Saturday afternoon. If you are a parkrunner and interested, please contact me at peter_fordham@yahoo.com and you will be able to join the group on the trip. I will be able to book you two nights accommodation at a 3 star hotel and provide transfers to and from Gdansk airport. Current prices are around £95 for a single person and £70 per person for two people sharing a standard double room. There are small extra payments for a sea view and/or breakfast. The hotel is in close proximity to the parkrun and city. While flights are not included, a return flight on Ryanair from Stansted is still on offer for a total price of under £60 .... Be quick, they will go up! An extended stay is an option, as is arriving via other routes; however it hoped that most of the group would be able to travel on Ryanair flight 2372 at 11.55 on Friday from Stansted to Gdansk and return on flight 2373 on Sunday at 09:50 from Gdansk." GREEN BELT RELAY This relay around London's Green Belt takes place on May 19th and 20th. We'll be entering at least one team of eleven runners, possibly two. If you're interested, note the date and watch this space for more news. The event website is here:. VOLUNTEERS There are one or two spaces in the list of club officials which need to be filled, so the club committee would like to hear from anyone who feels they might have the time to offer their services in any capacity, small or large. HEATHER COOPER MEMORIAL WAINWRIGHT CHALLENGE Peter Trainor forwards a message from Surrey Police Sergeant Ian Davis: "I am Chairman of the Sergeants' Branch Board, Surrey Police Federation, and for the past few years I have been organising events to raise money for local and national charities. The Surrey police family has recently been devastated following the tragic death of one of our colleagues, Detective Constable Heather Cooper. Heather was much loved and respected by her colleagues and will be sadly missed. This tragic event has left Heather's two very young children effectively orphaned. In an attempt to provide them with some financial support for their future I am organising a sponsored event. This event will take place on Saturday 28th April 2012 in the Lake District, where the challenge will be to light a lamp in Heather's memory on the summit of every one of the 214 Wainwright peaks just before first light. This is a mammoth challenge and if you would like to take part, individually or as part of a team then please contact me IanDavisCharityWalk@surrey.pnn.police.uk ." Peter adds: "Participation is open to all, so perhaps some hardy Ranelagh Harriers members or friends would like to commit to be involved - either as summit lamplighters themselves, or as guides or supporters for others. Groups of volunteers have been found so far to cover 130 of the 214 Wainwright summits, so there are plenty still to be covered." CONGRATULATIONS... ...to Clare and Zeph King on the arrival of Ronnie last Sunday. FINDARACE.COM David Wearn writes: "Four years ago I used to live in Richmond and run with you guys. I've recently launched a website allowing people to find running, and other, races easily (and free). I'm currently looking for people to take a look at the site whilst it's in 'beta' testing and let me know how it works for you. And naturally I thought of you! Would it be possible for any interested club members to get in touch dw@canvas-studios.com if they have any feedback? It's www.findarace.com." SWLAN NEWS From 20th February, Kingston & Poly AC will be resuming its series of monthly athletics talks supported by the South West London Athletics Network. As before, these talks are held on the third Monday of each month. All talks will start at 7:30pm and are kindly hosted by the Pure Sports Medicine Clinic at the David Lloyd Centre in Bushey Road, Raynes Park - just off the A3 and not far from Raynes Park and Wimbledon Chase stations. All talks are free to everyone. 20th February - Marathon Training Panel Session With two months to go until the London and Brighton marathons, this panel will help you to plan your training and race build up to get the best out of yourself on the day and to avoid injury. Our panel of experts will include: David Clarke, Level 3 athletics coach, multiple European country champion, and winner of the Stockholm marathon. Jeffrey Gordon of Thames Hare & Hounds, who has completed all 31 London marathons since it began in 1981. Andrea Havill, a physiotherapist and a competitive runner. Amanda Lau, a podiatrist who specialises in running footwear. Whether you've broken the three hour mark several times, or you're just hoping to finish your first marathon, this session will have something to offer you. 19th March - Faster Masters A panel of successful Masters athletes will be sharing their experiences on how to stay (extremely) fit and competitive past the age of 40. The line-up provisionally includes Pat Logan (sprints), Camilla Thrush (throws) and Ben Reynolds (distance running), all of whom run for local clubs and have won multiple medals at world level. 16th April - John Bryant on Chris Brasher: The Story of the London Marathon John Bryant will be discussing the origins of the London Marathon and the story of its founder Chris Brasher the week before its 32nd running. John is a famously lively speaker and has recently written a book on the life of Chris Brasher, which is to be published later this year. Kate Brook also sends details of the following course: Preparation for Steeplechase Practical day for coaches and athletes at all levels who are steeplechasers or are considering the event. Venue: St Mary's University College Twickenham TW1 4SX Time: 9:45am - 3pm Lead coach: Geoff Watkins and Neville Taylor If you would like to attend the day please contact Neville Taylor nhtassociates@btinternet.com or ntaylor@englandathletics.org 07841 504498 or 01403790800. LEADERSHIP IN RUNNING FITNESS COURSE England Athletics' next Leadership in Running Fitness Course takes place on March 4th 2012 at Winston Sports Centre, Hermitage road, Woking, GU21 8TL. Here's the link to the course page:. WHAT'S COMING ************* More details of the following from Marc Snaith (07717 213035 / e-mail Marc ranelagh.men@gmail.com or Marie Synnott-Wells (07983 430264 (After 5pm Weekdays) / e-mail Marie and Heather ranelagh.women@gmail.com Saturday 11th February Surrey League Division 1 - women (12 noon) at West End Common, Esher, men (3pm) on Wimbledon Common. Register on the day. Saturday 18th February Stubbs Cup mob match v South London Harriers. 7.7 miles at Coulsdon. 2.30pm start. Saturday 25th February National Cross-Country Championships at Parliament Hill Saturday 3rd March Inter-club 3.8 miles in Richmond Park. 3pm start Sunday 4th March MABAC League 5 miles in Richmond Park. 10am start parkruns every Saturday at 9am Bushy Park Diana Fountain car park Richmond Park Richmond Gate Wimbledon Common Windmill car park Banstead Woods Car park off B2219 Park Lane, Chipstead Bedfont Lakes Bedfont Lakes Country Park, Ashford, Middlesex Kingston The Hawker Centre Old Deer Park Pools in the Park on the A316 Other venues, more details and registration at www.parkrun.com The 2km junior parkrun for under 15s takes place at 11am on the first Sunday of each month from Bushy Park's Teddington Gate. WHAT'S HAPPENED *************** SOUTH OF ENGLAND CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Saturday 28th January at Stanmer Park, Brighton Our women's team result was perhaps their best of this season, 8th place and barely 50 points from the bronze medals. Estelle Damant and Liz Kipling have both been in the wars this winter but both rose to the occasion with performances that came very close to their best-ever finishing positions in the Southern. Liz particularly was very nervous before her first serious competitive run for six months but ran strongly on the hilly course to finish 30th just twelve seconds behind Estelle who finished an excellent 25th. Marie Synnott-Wells backed up well just inside the top hundred and Kate Woodhouse completed the team of four with a fine 138th. Sandra Prosser and Kate Brook also placed well in a field of some 340 starters. Marc Snaith reports on the men's race: "For many at Ranelagh, 'the Southerns' will perhaps have become inexorably associated with nine muddy miles at London's Parliament Hill. This year, however, due to the allocation of the National Championships (25 February) to that venue, the South of England event was moved to Stanmer Park, Brighton; its scenic course proving mostly firm underfoot after an unusually dry winter thus far. Ranelagh fielded twelve in the Senior Men's race (two full teams). The initial short lap in this event served to thin the mêlée of around 750 runners to some extent. Three long, winding laps of a course featuring two challenging hills then followed, with Carl Selya-Hammer leading the Ranelagh team from quite early on. The downhill finish was, for many, one of the most satisfying aspects of the course: Carl finished within the hour in 210th position, with Chris Bundhun, Trevor Maguire and Marc Snaith also in the 200s. Sean Paynter turned the tables to outsprint Ted Mockett by two seconds, the pair completing our first team in places 343 and 344 respectively. Andy Bickerstaff then led the next six, whose fairly well spaced times no doubt involved various inter-club tussles. Team placings for Ranelagh were our best for the past few years, and with twelve to score towards the Senior Men's race trophies, the Surrey Cup at least remains within sight." HAROLD LEE CUP MOB MATCH v ORION HARRIERS Saturday 4th February in Richmond Park 7.79 miles Orion Harriers have specialised in mob matches in recent years and prior to this season we had not registered a victory against them, home or away, since 2005. Part of their secret is that they travel well, frequently bringing a coachful round the M25 from Epping Forest. On their last visit they numbered 55 starters and won by 101 points. The time before that they had 53 and won by just over 200. On both occasions we did outnumber them but only just. Could we do better this time? Well, on a bitterly cold afternoon, with heavy snow forecast for the evening, it was perhaps understandable that Orion's numbers were a little down. They mustered 47 on the starting line. Leaving the clubhouse, numbers were fairly evenly balanced but fortunately there were another twenty or so Ranelagh Harriers waiting to pick up their numbers at the start and our final total was an excellent 69 plus one guest. This gave us a distinct edge even before Alan Hedger sent us on our way. Orion's Harold Wyber led from the start and only Peter Haarer tried to go with him. Peter lasted a little over a mile before letting the leader go, but found that he had been pulled clear of the chasing pack. As Wyber disappeared into the distance Peter settled into the second place he was to occupy for the rest of the race. Wyber's winning time was 43.14, some eighty seconds clear of Peter. Orion's Ben Hall finished third with Carl Selya-Hammer not far behind in fourth. Marc Snaith and Mark Herbert gave us four home in eight but then Orion weighed in with another four of their own. Sean Paynter, John Shaw, Chris Bundhun and Trevor Maguire were in the teens but another small Orion pack gave them twelve of the top twenty. We provided seven of the next ten, but Orion promptly copied the trick in the next ten. Some of our marshals reported afterwards that they thought Orion had done enough to take the race, but it wasn't over yet. Our first heavy blow to the Orion solar-plexus was probably the twelve blue vests we counted between 41st and 54th against only two white Orion vests. But the coup de grace was our simple weight of numbers. It was 44 a side to score and our last counter was Peter Wright in 80th place. Orion's last scorer, on the other hand, was way down in 113th place, and all those Ranelagh finishers behind 80th played a vital part by pushing the Orion tail-enders further down the order. The final result was a win for Ranelagh by 1921 points to Orion's 2104, and we can all give ourselves a good pat on the back. The race incorporated the club's veterans championships and all three trophies will have new homes this year. Hot favourite Peter Haarer duly regained the Hastings Cup for the over 40s, John Shaw's mantelpiece will hold the McDowell Salver for the first over 50 and Phil Jackson showed a clean pair of heels to his over 60 rivals to secure the Maslin Mug for the first time. I don't know what the Sinton-Hewitts had for breakfast but it obviously worked: Paul won the vets sealed handicap by a street and Mrs S-H took second place ahead of Peter Fordham in third. Most of the mob match regulars were present - David Wright notched up number 147, Steve Rowland's count reached 132, Mike Peace 117 and Clive Naish 114 (the last 112 consecutive). It was also good to welcome back Jo Ronaldson in her first race for some fifteen months. Jo was third woman home behind two Orions and just ahead of Fiona Ford and Kate Woodhouse. Even more surprising was the reappearance of 1986 Commonwealth Games Marathon runner Phil O'Brien who finished 69th. As mentioned above it was a very cold day and special thanks must go to all the marshals and officials who braved the conditions. The evening's quiz saw fifteen team squeeze into the clubhouse to be mentally tortured by joint quiz-masters the President and the Handicapper. Thanks as usual go to Andy Hayward and Michele Gibson for organising the logistics and the food and to Mike White for providing the beer. A few Orion stayed on and it was revealed that Harold Wyber was likely to be their secret weapon in the quiz just as he had been in the race. Harold, we discovered, had been a member of the Warwick University team that won University Challenge in 2007. Nevertheless it was the Diamond Dogs team that made the running from the start with the Ranelagh Geries in hot pursuit and Orion's Belters following along in third place. Alas for Ranelagh the Dogs and the Geries both tumbled at the last fence leaving Orion to gain revenge for the afternoon's defeat. BRIDGES 2.3 miles handicap Wednesday 11th January at Westminster 1 S Arnold (unatt) 19.20 (actual time 19.20) 2 Simon Hedger 20.14 (14.14) 5 Alan Davidson 20.44 (17.14) 21 John Hanscomb 21.41 (24.41) LAST FRIDAY OF THE MONTH 5km Friday 27th January in Hyde Park 1 E Jackson (Highgate) 15.20 27 Mick Lane 18.42 114 Alan Davidson 22.27 183 Mike Rowland 27.16 212 John Hanscomb 33.21 PERCH XIII 10km Sunday 29th January at Nonsuch Park Steve Grout and Marina Quayle led the Ranelagh contingent in this multi-terrain event first held in 2000 (2000 perch = 10km, near enough). 1 G Bowles (Datchet) 35.02 64 Steve Grout 43.34 310 Marina Quayle 59.52 317 Wally Garrod 61.04 334 Alan Meaden 63.31 338 Lynne Barber 64.11 346 David Meaden 65.43 352 Tanya Allen 67.39 357 Cindy Croucher 68.55 358 Deirdre Inman 69.00 359 Penny Merrett 69.08 373 Bev Ali 75.20 WORTHING LIDO 4 miles Sunday 29th January 1 Z Grice (Portsmouth) 21.20 88 Steve Rowland 27.33 114 Sonia Rowland 28.05 169 Alan Davidson 29.07 BUCS CROSS-COUNTRY CHAMPIONSHIPS Sunday 5th February at Blackweir Fields, Cardiff Ralph Street ran well for 22nd place in the British Universities Championships. 1 J Hay (Birm U) 30.02 2 Ralph Street (Shef U) 31.42 WATFORD HALF MARATHON Sunday 5th February The handful of Ranelagh Harriers planning to take part were disappointed when the event was cancelled owing to heavy snow on the course. RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 G Corcoran (K&P) 16.22 8 Peter Weir 19.22 36 Phil Jackson 21.08 46 Duncan Brown 21.34 51 Stewart Anderson 21.56 77 Amrut Sharma 22.59 105 Andrew Brown 24.46 113 Zinny Gavars 24.55 130 Tomas Sterner 25.37 141 Louise Davies 25.59 172 Ally Salisbury 27.14 174 Linda Honey 27.25 177 Tony Clark 27.32 184 Zoe Gavars 27.47 190 Rob Kitchen 28.06 217 Philippa Kitchen 29.59 219 Val Lowman 30.05 220 Peter Lowman 30.05 239 Bronwen Northmore 31.27 259 Pat Hewlett 33.23 275 Penny Merrett 38.13 276 Bev Ali 38.14 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 A Clarke (AFD) 15.11 17 Nick Wright 17.52 21 Duncan Mallison 18.07 25 James Whistler 18.25 119 Adam Wright 20.47 228 Edward Hedger 22.23 238 Ian Grange 22.29 368 Jose Scheuer 24.03 506 David Bell 25.55 762 Vicci Randle 30.10 822 John Hanscomb 32.26 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 S Balbi (Brack F) 17.39 32 Alan Davidson 23.12 NONSUCH parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January The first win at Nonsuch Park for Mark Herbert. 1 Mark Herbert 17.58 58 Mike White 24.38 GUNNERSBURY parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 J Flood (Stragglers) 17.27 24 Karl Garvey 22.32 95 Sharon Dooley 29.16 OLD DEER parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January Alice Hector was the overall winner while in second place Bruce McLaren was the leading man. Mel Hunter was third woman. 1 Alice Hector 19.25 2 Bruce McLaren 19.51 8 Wyn Williams 22.41 16 Melanie Hunter 24.57 29 Christine Goodsell 31.19 BEDFONT LAKES parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 J Worcester (Met Pol) 17.00 96 Cindy Croucher 31.31 97 Deirdre Inman 31.33 BANSTEAD WOODS parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 H Saunders (Oxted S) 17.44 87 Tom Reay 26.09 EASTBOURNE parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January Mr parkrun Paul Sinton-Hewitt finished 3rd in the inaugural Eastbourne event. 1 T Lunnon (BMF) 18.29 3 Paul Sinton-Hewitt 19.44 39 Jo Sinton-Hewitt 24.07 CRYSTAL PALACE parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 S Wilson (unatt) 17.41 23 Chris Read 22.27 WORMWOOD SCRUBS parkrun 5km Saturday 28th January 1 A Galloway (Heath) 17.31 23 Kirsty Bangham 25.41 RICHMOND parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February 1 B Matthews (Strag) 17.54 11 Bruce McLaren 19.38 36 Tomas Sterner 21.37 41 Stewart Anderson 21.40 131 Linda Honey 26.38 152 Andrew Brown 27.35 161 Stacey Barber 28.10 166 Val Lowman 28.26 173 Peter Lowman 29.08 190 Christine Goodsell 30.50 216 Bev Ali 35.57 BUSHY parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February 1 M Trees (Belgrave) 16.34 12 James Whistler 18.04 379 Peter Fordham 25.06 613 Martin Clark 28.49 614 Wally Garrod 28.50 627 Vicci Randle 29.07 711 John Hanscomb 32.27 GUNNERSBURY parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February 1 J Flood (Stragglers) 16.16 12 Lee Davies 19.55 13 Mark Herbert 19.56 30 Karl Garvey 22.04 74 Mike White 28.06 76 Michelle Davies 28.09 KINGSTON parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February Nick Wright placed second. 1 G Brook (Stragglers) 17.29 2 Nick Wright 17.39 8 Chris Camacho 20.37 20 Simon Taylor 23.22 51 Phil Aiken 26.50 OLD DEER PARK parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February Mel Hunter was second woman home. 1 M Wilkinson (unatt) 20.11 9 Melanie Hunter 24.45 19 Lynne Barber 32.32 20 Deborah Blakemore 32.32 BRAUNSTONE parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February Estelle Damant finished 5th overall and first woman. 1 J Harrison (Charn) 15.31 5 Estelle Damant 17.27 BEXLEY parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February Rebecca Hall was third woman in the inaugural Bexley parkrun. 1 D Hussey (Dulwich R) 19.10 31 Rob Curtis 24.04 34 Rebecca Hall 24.11 NONSUCH parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February 1 B Harrold )Dorking) 17.27 12 Steve Grout 20.32 READING parkrun 5km Saturday 4th February 1 J Sherman (Reading R) 17.27 148 Louise Atkinson 27.24 BUSHY JUNIORS parkrun 2km Sunday 5th February Alistair Sinclair's sons braved the snow... 1 B Taylor (unatt) 8.16 16 Euan Sinclair 10.15 27 Finlay Sinclair 12.25 FINALLY... Be inspired by John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania, the last finisher in the 1968 Olympic Marathon: Video link. Akhwari was no duffer, going on to finish 5th in 2.15 at the 1970 Commonwealth Games Marathon and lending his name to the John Stephen Akhwari Athletic Foundation, an organization which supports Tanzanian athletes training for the Olympics.